Jalen Kitna moves into Burleson High School. His fourth school in four years
Jalen Kitna has a one-track mind.
"I want to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft someday," he said. "I want the college staff that I choose to push me to become that. I'm a listener and a learner. I want them to invest the time in me and teach me the intricacies of their offense."
Florida, Oregon State, Arizona and Yale are on his short list.
Kitna's father, Jon, played at Central Washington before a 17-year NFL career. Yes, 17 years with Seattle, Cincinnati, Detroit and Dallas.
"I don't remember that much of his NFL career because he retired when I was like six-year old," he said. "But football has always been a central part of my life."
Kitna has already had quite the football journey, following his father. His high school career started at Waxahachie High School, where his dad was the head coach. As a sophomore, he moved with his family to Brophy College Prep in Arizona, before coming back to Frisco Reedy as a junior. His dad was on the Dallas Cowboy coaching staff.
After the firing of Cowboy coach Jason Garrett and his staff, Kitna was named the head coach of Burleson High School, where he will have a 6-foot-4 senior QB in Jalen.
"Yep, four high schools in four years," he said. "I really don't mind. I've moved eight times in 17 years of being alive. It's always something new for me. I get to know a lot of people. The down side is that it's hard to build chemistry with my receivers but I feel like I make up for it in leadership."
The Kitnas know football. His brother Jordan plays QB at Colorado State-Pueblo and his sister is the equipment manager at Arizona State. His younger brother will be in the eighth grade. But it all started with dad.
Jon Kitna played 17 seasons in the NFL
"We really don't have a big problem separating coach and dad relationship," he said. "It's really beneficial for me to have him coach me. I love to hear his point of view, I mean he knows the game better than anyone I know."
Does he feel like he has lofty expectations to live up to?
"I don't care what people say about me," he said. "I hold myself to a very high standard and just focus on my team and what we are doing. I don't focus on the comparisons."
So, what's the scouting report on the senior?
"The past few years, the deep-ball has been high-percentage for me," he said. "I can make plays from the pocket. I've gotten bigger over the past few years so I'm more comfortable getting out of the pocket and taking off too."
So, who does he watch on tape?
"I like Drew Brees because he's so technical and consistent," he said. "I also like Aaron Rodgers because he must makes plays when they need them."
Hey, what about dear ole' dad?
